MMDK, PMK, VCK Demand probe into Sri Lanka torture camps

MDMK leader Vaiko, PMK founder S Ramadoss and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan on Thursday demanded a thorough probe into the torture camps in Sri Lanka, citing reports of the findings by a UN panel, the New Indian Express reported.

Vaiko said the torture camps in the naval base at Triconamalee was evidence that the Tamils were tortured in camps even after 2010. The UN panel had found blood stains in the camps and added that similar camps could have existed in other parts of the island too, he pointed out.

According to Ramadoss Tamil leaders like Rathinadurai and Balakumaran had been tortured in the camps and it is not known how many torture camps were there. Even now, hundreds of Tamils are languishing in Lankan jails, he noted.

Thirumavalavan was quoted as saying the UN panel’s findings raises doubts that several Tamil youth could have been tortured and killed even after the end of the war. The UN panel itself had confirmed the presence of secret torture camps in Lanka, he said and demanded the release of political prisoners from Lankan prisons.